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The Western Cape Health Department has called on all unemployed nurses to apply for short term positions. This comes as hospitals across the province are buckling under the strain of COVID-19 cases.
Some hospitals have also reported a shortage of equipment such as oxygen machines and ventilators. There are currently around 35 000 active cases of the virus in the province and more than 5 500 deaths.
Department spokesperson, Natalie Wallington, says those who qualify should apply online.
“Are you a nurse? We need your help to fight against COVID-19! The Western Cape Department of Health is calling on all nurses who are unemployed to apply for short term contract appointments to assist us. Can you help us? Please apply on the coronavirus website: http://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za <https://protect-za.mimecast.com/s/-xpUCY6x0ZCkoEl7s0H2cv.”
A new variant of the virus is spreading:
Ventilators
Aid organisation, Gift of the Givers, has taken delivery of 240 ventilators for hospitals in the Western Cape. Hospitals in the province are overburdened with COVID-19 patients.
There are more than 35 400 active cases of the virus in the province. Gift of the Givers founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, says the ventilators are currently being tested at Tygerberg Hospital.
He says they will be distributed to hospitals in Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha.
“As need be, we will put them in other hospitals in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and throughout the country. Our special thanks to the CSIR for designing and developing this ventilator which is being tested currently at Tygerberg hospital.”
